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Halos, new hurlers Vargas, Hanson agree to deals

Left-hander gets $8.5 million for 2013, while righty to earn $3.725 million

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Angels unconcerned about Hanson 1:02

Angels reporter Alden Gonzalez discusses the team's feelings that Tommy Hanson is healthy and will be a viable mid-rotation starter in 2013

By Alden Gonzalez
/
MLB.com |

ANAHEIM -- The Angels avoided arbitration with two of their new starting pitchers on Friday, settling on an $8.5 million contract with Jason Vargas and a $3.725 million deal with Tommy Hanson.

That leaves only Kevin Jepsen, who filed for $1.4 million while the Angels offered $975,000. Hearings are scheduled from Feb. 4-20 this year, but the two sides can continue negotiating. The Angels and Jepsen are continuing to work toward closing their $425,000 gap.

Vargas, who made $4.85 million in 2012, was acquired from the Mariners for designated hitter Kendrys Morales on Dec. 19, and he is headed into his final season before free agency. From 2010-12, the 29-year-old left-hander posted a 3.96 ERA while averaging 204 innings per season.

Hanson, 26, made $535,000 in 2012, and is experiencing the healthy bump most players get in their first arbitration year. From 2009-11, the right-hander established himself as one of the game's bright young arms, going 32-22 with a 3.28 ERA in 460 1/3 innings.

Hanson wavered a bit in '12, posting a career-high 4.48 ERA in 174 2/3 innings, before the Angels acquired him from the Braves for reliever Jordan Walden in November.

The Angels previously signed Jerome Williams to a $2 million contract and agreed to terms on a two-year deal worth close to $9 million with third baseman Alberto Callaspo, who was due to become a free agent next offseason. The latter deal is still pending a physical and isn't expected to be finalized until next week.